Allen Brooks Makes History Becoming Oldest Graduate From Alabama A&M University
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Allen Brooks is a walking testament that if you believe it, you can achieve it.
The 60-year-old graduated from Alabama A&M University in December 2024, becoming the oldest graduate to receive a degree from the historically Black institution. According to Good Morning America (GMA), the history maker graduated with his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in business management.
In a TikTok post shared on Dec.16, 2024, Brooks’ daughter, Brionna Washington, recorded her father, looking emotional and beaming with pride as he accepted his diploma during the graduation ceremony. Washington and her “cuz” Leshia Young broke down in tears watching Brooks celebrate his hard-earned degree. According to Brooks’ interview with GMA published Jan. 28, the 60-year-old returned to school in 2020, after he failed to complete his studies at Alabama A&M in 1986, a goal he aimed to fulfill in honor of his late mother, Sarah Pearl Brooks.
“My dad did his BIG ONE!!!! 1st Generation Grad (of 4 gens),” Washington captioned her viral video which amassed over 11 million likes and 50 million views.
@_brionnaofficial My Dad did his BIG ONE!!!! 1st Generation Grad( of 4 gens) Although his reason was for his mom (who passed while finishing his LAST CLASS . my cuz @Ieshia Young made these tear dropping signs to represent her ! I mean me and my aunts were TORE UPPPP!!!! Im so proud of my Daddy!!! He is the epitome of walking in YOUR purpose and not FOR SOCIETY! He has shown me once again its NEVER too late to finish and for that and so much more i LOVE YOU & THANK YOU!
“Although his reason was for his mom (who passed while finishing his LAST CLASS),” the proud daughter penned. “My Cuz Leshia Young made these tear dropping signs to represent her. I mean me and my aunts tore up!!!! I’m so proud of my daddy!!! He is the epitome of walking in YOUR Purpose…”
Brooks’ youngest son also attends Alabama A&M University and got to witness his graduation.
In an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show Jan. 31, Brooks shared that the ceremony was even more special because he got to experience it with both his daughter and his youngest son, a freshman at Alabama A&M.
“He plays in the band and I was walking in, he was playing ‘Pomp & Circumstance, ’and him and I made eye contact. I could not have planned that moment. It was amazing.”
Studying for challenging exams and completing homework for his degree wasn’t always easy, but when times got tough, Brooks learned to rely on his family’s support and sought strength from his mother, asking for guidance from above.
“When I would get to a point in my study to where I would be like, ‘Oh man, I’m getting fogged up studying for this exam,’ I would turn around and call [my mom],” Brooks told GMA last month.“I would just talk to her, and [when I] get off the phone, things would start clicking,” he added. “I say she was with me every step of the way.”
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